Conference General Info

On-Line Registration is Closed

Please register at the Conference

Preliminary Schedule

The THURSDAY sessions are FREE and open to the public. Beginning at 2pm, May 1, the four sessions include: "What is Home Schooling", "The Law", "Getting Started", and "Choosing Curriculum". The evening concludes with a guided tour of the Exhibit Hall.

Dates: May 1, 2, & 3, 2008

Location: Georgia International Convention Center (1 mile west of the Atlanta Airport on Camp Creek Parkway. Go to www.GICC.com for directions and a map.

Hotel Reservations: To make on-line hotel reservations at the Atlanta Westin Airport Hotel at the special conference rate - go to GA HOME EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. Rates are guaranteed until April 11, 2008.

Stand With US When GHEA was founded, it was with the hope that a statewide support group would continue to promote and support home schooling in Georgia. Committed to following the Word of God, GHEA set out to bring the home school community together for one purpose; the right to teach our children what we deem fit and proper. It hasn’t been without obstacles, but with state and national home schooling families and leaders teaming up with GHEA, we have been able to stand. GHEA, under the guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ, has become one of the strongest voices for home schooling in Georgia. You are the reason we exist. Only through God do we find favor with state and local officials, but declaring to them that we represent a significant number of home schooling voting citizens helps us to get their attention! Your membership in GHEA symbolizes the unity that we represent, and there is strength in that unity. If you are a member, encourage your home schooling friends to join. If you are not already a member, now is the best time to become one. The hours are long and sometimes never seem to end, but the rewards for home schooling will be reaped in due time, if we faint not. We hope you will consider joining us as God writes the next chapter in our amazing story!

What Are the Benefits When you join GHEA you are eligible for the following benefits (certainly worth $25, about $2 per month):

· $5 discount on full conference registration

· $15 discount on HSLDA membership

· $65 discount off the $120 price of the Complete Guide to Financing College and College Admissions

(an 8 CD package) saving you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars

· A discount at the GHEA online bookstore (We hope to be online March 2008)

· Discounts on Dell Computer products

· Discounted subscriptions to Homeschooling Today and Home School Digest

· Discounts at Borders and Waldenbooks

· Discounted group rates on auto, home, and renters insurance

Remember in typing class "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country?" NOW IS THE TIME! Your membership in GHEA is critical. GHEA is your advocate. We want to continue to provide you with an annual Christian home school conference, an opportunity to honor your graduate, an excellent state-wide newsletter, and an informative website. Additionally, we work diligently with the state legislature to protect your rights to direct the education of your children. We introduce legislation on your behalf (i.e. Removing the college requirement for tutors and securing jury duty relief for home school teachers). But, the future of this organization depends on INCREASED MEMBERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERS! Please give today. "Let our words become deeds to meet needs."

You can join on line at www.ghea.org or mail your name, address, email, and phone to GHEA, 258 Sandy Lake Cir., Fayetteville, GA 30214. 770-461-3657

Attendees This conference is intended for parent/teacher and student enrichment. Those 14 yrs and up may volunteer to help with the Little Patriots Seminar. Child care arrangements are encouraged for children ages 1-12 except for those enrolled in the LITTLE PATRIOTS. Nursing babies will be admitted free, but remember that sessions are being taped. Sit near an entrance and please step out if your baby makes any noise. Single moms may attend at no charge with a mail-in registration.

Times The doors will open for registration at 1:00pm on Thursday and the free sessions will begin at 2:00pm and end at 7:00pm with a break for dinner. The last session concludes with a tour of the vendor hall. On Friday the doors will open for registration at 8:00am, shopping will open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm Friday evening. Vendor workshops will begin at 10:00am. The Friday evening program will begin at 6:00pm. The used book sale will be open from 10am until 2pm on Friday. See "Used Book Sale" for details. On Saturday, the doors open at 8:30am and sessions will start at 9:00am. The exhibit hall will open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm.

Check-in for Little Patriots begins at 5:15pm on Friday and ends when the evening program is over. Check-in on Saturday begins at 8:30am and ends at 4:30pm.

.Curriculum Hall & Used Book Sale Only

Professional educators know the importance of recurrent training along with receiving encouragement. Home school teachers are no different, and we encourage you to take advantage of this training opportunity. However, if you cannot attend the conference but would like to shop only (vendor hall & used book sale), you may do so for $10 per adult & $5 per child. The curriculum fair will be open to the public at no charge after 3 pm on Saturday. If you register for the full conference, the curriculum hall and Used Book Sale are included. No wagons or empty strollers permitted in the vendor hall. Only 2 wheel, upright, airline style carts are permitted. If you plan to attend the Used Book Sale only, you may do so for $5 per person.

Volunteers have been an invaluable help each year. If you would be willing to serve for a three hour period on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, we could use your help. We need help with the following responsibilities: Used book sale, book check room, registration, greeters, ushers, site setup, tear-down and clean up. To be considered as a volunteer, please check the volunteer box when you register. If you would like to volunteer for the Used Book Sale contact the Toussaints at usedbooksale@ghea.org or 770-487-3635

Honoring the Graduates Finishing high school is an accomplishment that is worthy of celebration, and GHEA will once again host an Honoring the Graduates program for the class of 2008. Many people consider high school graduation as the end of their education. However, the word commencement actually means the beginning! Join us as we honor those young people who have graduated from the first phase of education and are beginning a new phase of life. If you are interested in being a part of this "Pomp and Circumstance," please send a request for a complete information packet to graduation@ghea.org. If you do not have access to email, leave a message at (770) 461-3657. The deadline for completed packages to be sent in is April 8. This deadline is imperative for making sure that your graduate’s testimony is published and the diploma is correct. The program begins Saturday at 1:00pm. "...Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this." Esther 4:14

Book Check GHEA will provide a book check area again this year. No need to haul all your materials around with you all day, just bring them to the book check area for safe keeping.

Refunds If you are unable to attend the conference and desire a refund, GHEA must receive your request and name tag (if you have received one) postmarked no later than May 5, 2007. You will then be refunded your full registration fee less a $3 handling charge per family. No refunds will be made at the conference.

Meals Food will be available from the Conference Center concession, from nearby restaurants, or bring your own for a tailgate picnic. No food may be brought into the building. See maps on pages 15-16 of the conference brochure.

Parking The convention center will be charging for parking. At our request, they have agreed to give us a conference parking pass for $5 rather than the usual $5 per day. Parking spaces are limited.

Recommended Hotel The Weston Atlanta Airport is our primary hotel for the conference. They have given us an outstanding rate of $82 + Free Parking. 4736 Best Rd. College Park, GA 30337, (404) 762-7676. See map page 9 for additional hotels. To make reservations on line - go to GA HOME EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

2008 GHEA Used Book Sale

Please read carefully for changes-they are not highlighted!

This year the used book sale will take place on May 2 from 10 A.M. until 2 P.M. in Hall C

Sellers: If you are interested in selling your used books you must have a seller number. To obtain a seller number you must register with Melanie McBride (Melanie@jmxservices.com or 770-460-7314 if you do not use email) no later than April 17, 2008. Also, the number of sellers will again be limited to 350. After 350 sellers have registered no more numbers will be assigned regardless of date.

All books must be labeled with 1. Seller’s number, 2. Seller’s name, 3. Asking price, 4. Title of book, 5. Grade level of book if appropriate, 6. Publisher and 7. Publishing date. These labels must be completely covered on the book with clear packing tape. If a book is missing a label, it will not be sold-no exceptions.

You may drop off your used books on Thursday 1 May 2008 between 3 P.M. and 6 P.M. or on Friday 2 May 2008 from 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. through the loading dock of Hall C of the Convention Center. No more than 5 books per seller will be accepted after 8:30 A.M. on Friday.

Unsold books must be picked up on Friday evening between 6 P.M. and 8 P.M. Sellers will be charged a $20 disposal fee for books left after 8 P.M. and the uncollected books will be discarded. Sellers may pick up their money on Saturday morning between 8:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. All money not picked up will be mailed to the seller. All sellers will be charged a 10% fee on all sales.

Buyers: Conference registrants will be assigned buyer numbers in the order in which they register. Registration for the book sale only is $5 per person. Sellers who wish to shop must register separately as a buyer. Limited numbers of buyers will be allowed into the room in timed intervals. In order to speed check-out, buyers should have the books they wish to purchase in order by letter and number before approaching the cashiers. Only two-wheeled, upright, airline-style carts will be permitted in the Hall. No other style will be permitted. If you have questions about your carrying case, please contact the Toussaints (see contact information below) to verify. A book checking area will again be available.

We need volunteers for the GHEA used book sale!

Ancient proverb: "If you plant eight mangoes, you can eat eight mangoes."

We need numerous volunteers who are willing to work in all positions. Volunteers will not be paid, reimbursed, etc., but are asked to help purely as a ministry to other homeschoolers. If you would be willing to work with us, please consider donating 3 or more hours of your time on Friday 2 May 2008 between 8:45 A.M until approximately 7 P.M. Responsible young adults are also encouraged to volunteer. Parents may keep their younger children with them while they are working their shift so consider volunteering as a family. If this sounds like something that you are able to do (or if you have questions), please contact the Toussaints as soon as possible.

Email: usedbooksale@ghea.org Phone: (770) 487-3635

Bed & Breakfast Southern Hospitality at Its Finest! Hospitality has been a unique social art in every culture since the beginning of time. It is a character quality that is a tremendous witness to others, as well as one that brings a blessing to those who practice it. There was a time in American history when families had a bedroom attached to the breezeway of their homes in order to provide a place of shelter and rest to travelers who might be passing through. General George Washington himself enjoyed the simple hospitality of many families during his travels, and the South is known for its hospitable ways and Southern charm. WE NEED YOU to "renew" this lost art of hospitality by opening your homes to families who desire to attend this years conference and may not be able to afford the extra expense of a hotel room. Not only is this a tremendous way to meet other homeschooling families who share the same vision for their children’s education, it is an opportunity to teach your children the art of serving others. If you would be willing to provide a place of shelter and rest to weary seminar travelers, or if you need a place to stay, please mark the appropriate box on the registration form. Remember... "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." Hebrews 13:2